Arizona - 7th District

District Information

Stretching mainly to the south and west from Phoenix, the strongly Democratic 7th is Hispanic-majority. It crosses large reservations and rural areas to take in Yuma, downtown Tucson and most of Arizona's borders with California and Mexico, including the border town Nogales. The district's chunk of Tucson is home to the University of Arizona, one of southern Arizona's top employers.

A large population of seasonal immigrant workers -- particularly in vegetable farming -- supports the local agriculture and service industries but also boosts the district's poverty statistics. The 7th has more blue-collar workers and fewer college graduates than most Arizona districts.

Illegal immigration is a political flash point and a major problem here. Crossing the border in the vast desert region is especially dangerous due to the extreme heat and lack of water, and those who attempt the crossing hamper military training activities on the Barry M. Goldwater Range, which covers more than 100 miles of the border.

The Tohono O'odham and Gila River reservations are the 7th's largest, and American Indians make up roughly 6 percent of the population here. Gila River, south of Phoenix, and Tohono O'odham, at the district's southern edge, host resorts and casinos, but also have invested in commercial and industrial parks to diversify economically.

Republicans are competitive in most of the 7th's counties. Pima County, the district's most populous, includes the 7th's portion of Tucson and many American Indian residents. Barack Obama took 57 percent of the district's vote for president in 2008.